Intervention during the Plenary, on the legal framework by Asbjørn Eide Former Di rector of the Norwegi a n Centre for Huma n Ri ghts , former cha i r of the Uni ted Na ti ons Worki ng Group on Mi nori ti es a nd former Pres i dent of the Advi s ory Counci l of the Fra mework Conventi on on the Ri ghts of Na ti ona l Mi nori ti es . I greatly appreciate that the present 8th session of the Minority Forum prioritizes positive and effective practice for protecting and promoting the rights of persons belonging to minorities in the various stages in the administration of the criminal justice process, including in law enforcement operation, the judiciary and the legal profession. This contributes to a general sense of trust prevailing between the different parts of the national society, so that also the minorities generally feel respected and protected by the agencies of the state. Without a general climate of trust in society it will be very difficult and costly to try to protect human rights. Persons belonging to minorities shall be equally protected by law when they are attacked or harmed by others, and their human rights shall also be equally respected in the application of law, including in the administration of justice. This is the dual requirement of the rule of law: Equal protection against harms by others, and equal respect of their rights when subject to law enforcement. To maintain the rule of law it is essential that not only the law itself, but also its enforcement is seen to be legitimate by all sections of society, including the minorities. Many (but not all) minorities are severely marginalised, whether on racial, ethnic, social, religious or linguistic grounds. All too often poverty is more widespread among marginalised minorities, particularly when the government is not responsive to their needs and their situation. They are more frequently attacked with impunity, and are more frequently suspected of committing crimes. We know from criminology that allegations of or detection of crime is more widespread within the poorest and most marginalised sections of the population, partly because their opportunities are blocked due to discrimination. The report presented to us this year by the Special Rapporteur (A/70/212) provides in its section B (paras 10-17) a comprehensive overview of the existing international legal framework. There is no reason for me to repeat what is